Hydrogen explosion prompts evacuations in El Cajon

EL CAJON - A hydrogen truck fire and an explosion today prompted the evacuations of several businesses and schools in El Cajon, officials said.

Dispatchers received reports around 8:10 a.m. of an explosion linked to a hydrogen truck fire in the 1100 block of West Bradley Avenue, just south of Gillespie Field, Heartland Fire and Rescue public information officer Mark Casey said.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials were evacuating people from businesses and residences in a two-block area stretching from Cuyamaca Street to North Marshall Avenue, Casey said.

No injuries were reported.

Around 150 students co-located in school programs at Idea Center High School, Chaparral High School and Merit Academy were being evacuated to the gymnasium at Grossmont High School for parent reunification, Grossmont Union High School District spokeswoman Catherine Martin said.

A hazmat team was dispatched to the scene.

Residents were advised to avoid the area for the next several hours, Casey said.

The Sycuan Green Line is rerouting at Arnele Station and the Orange Line is rerouting at El Cajon Transit Center, according to San Diego Metropolitan Systems.